Mark 16:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Trembling and astonished, the women flee the tomb, at first too afraid to say anything to anyone.
What Does Mark 16:8 Mean?
The news is too large to hold steady. The women run from the tomb, seized by trembling and amazement, and for the moment fear locks their lips. Matthew adds that fear was soon mingled with great joy as they hurried to bring the disciples word (Matthew 28:8).
Mark lets us feel the raw shock of resurrection morning. The empty tomb is not a tame comfort; it is the ground shifting beneath every human certainty, beginning with death itself. Encounters with the living God often begin in speechlessness. But silence was not the end of the story — the verses that follow, and the existence of the church itself, testify that the message got out.
Mark 16:8 in the Original Language
ekstasis (ἔκστασις), 'amazed' -- astonishment that carries a person outside ordinary composure; the word behind 'ecstasy'.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 16:8
What does Mark 16:8 mean?
Trembling and astonished, the women flee the tomb, at first too afraid to say anything to anyone.